摘要:
Embodiments disclosed herein include ferrule assemblies employing mechanical interfaces for optical fibers and related component and methods. The ferrule assemblies may be used in fiber optic connectors to precisely position the optical fiber relative to the ferrule to facilitate an optical connection with another optical device. In certain embodiments disclosed herein, the ferrule assemblies include a ferrule that includes an inner surface forming a ferrule bore. Each of the ferrules may also include an end portion of an optical fiber disposed in the ferrule bore. The inner surface of the ferrule bore abuts against an outer surface of the optical fiber to form a mechanical interface. In this manner, the mechanical interface secures the optical fiber within the ferrule bore and precisely positioned relative to the ferrule. This mechanical interface may eliminate the need for epoxy or other means to secure the optical fiber within the ferrule bore.
摘要:
Simultaneous thermal forming of a ferrule and optical fiber as part of a ferrule assembly to thermally form an optical surface in the ferrule assembly. Related fiber optic components, connectors, assemblies, and methods are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the ferrule assembly is comprised of a ferrule and an optical fiber having an end portion extending from an end face of the ferrule. The ferrule may be made from a material or material composition having the same or similar thermal energy absorption characteristics as the optical fiber disposed in the ferrule. Thus, when the end face of the ferrule and an end portion of an optical fiber are simultaneously exposed to a wavelength(s) of a laser beam emitted by a laser, at least a portion of the end face of the ferrule and end portion of the optical fiber are both thermally formed together to form an optical surface.
摘要:
A pre-terminated optical fiber assembly with a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough includes a glass optical fiber is disposed within the at least one fiber bore with the fiber fused to the ferrule at a location at least 1 mm deep inside the bore. A method for fusing is also disclosed. The ferrule 14 is desirably composed of an inorganic composite material, the composite comprising a material gradient from at least 75% by volume of a first inorganic material to at least 75% by volume of second inorganic material in the radially inward direction, where the first inorganic material has a fracture toughness of at least 1 MPa·m1/2, and the second inorganic material has a softening point of no greater than 1000° C., desirably no greater than 900° C.
摘要:
Simultaneous thermal forming of a ferrule and optical fiber as part of a ferrule assembly to thermally form an optical surface in the ferrule assembly. Related fiber optic components, connectors, assemblies, and methods are disclosed. In certain embodiments, the ferrule assembly is comprised of a ferrule and an optical fiber having an end portion extending from an end face of the ferrule. The ferrule may be made from a material or material composition having the same or similar thermal energy absorption characteristics as the optical fiber disposed in the ferrule. Thus, when the end face of the ferrule and an end portion of an optical fiber are simultaneously exposed to a wavelength(s) of a laser beam emitted by a laser, at least a portion of the end face of the ferrule and end portion of the optical fiber are both thermally formed together to form an optical surface.
摘要:
A pre-terminated optical fiber assembly with a ferrule having front and rear opposed faces and at least one fiber bore defined longitudinally therethrough includes a glass optical fiber is disposed within the at least one fiber bore with the fiber fused to the ferrule at a location at least 1 mm deep inside the bore. A method for fusing is also disclosed. The ferrule 14 is desirably composed of an inorganic composite material, the composite comprising a material gradient from at least 75% by volume of a first inorganic material to at least 75% by volume of second inorganic material in the radially inward direction, where the first inorganic material has a fracture toughness of at least 1 MPa•m1/2, and the second inorganic material has a softening point of no greater than 1000° C., desirably no greater than 900° C.
摘要:
Laser-based methods of stripping different types of fiber optic cables (100) are disclosed. The method includes directing a focused laser beam (202) onto the cable's protective cover (114). The method also includes moving the fiber optic cable relative to the focused laser beam in a direction substantially along a central axis (AC) to form a substantially axially oriented groove (250) in the protective cover, wherein the groove does not reach one or more optical fibers (110) carried by the cable. The method can further include opening the protective cover at the groove to form a split protective cover portion (114S), and removing the split protective cover portion from the fiber optic cable. Methods of stripping a cable by forming two grooves in the protective cover using two focused laser beams are also disclosed.
摘要:
A method is provided of fabricating an optical fiber having a polished end face, including providing an optical fiber having an axis; positioning and maintaining the axis A of the fiber, at a specific location along the fiber, at a fixed position; and forming a laser processed end face on the individual fiber at said specific location L by irradiating the individual fiber at said location with one or more laser beams while moving the one or more laser beams in a rotational direction around the fiber. The method may be applied to a jacketed fiber and/or a fiber on a reel. Resulting fibers are also disclosed.
摘要:
Laser-based methods of stripping different types of fiber optic cables (100) are disclosed. The method includes directing a focused laser beam (202) onto the cable's protective cover (114). The method also includes moving the fiber optic cable relative to the focused laser beam in a direction substantially along a central axis (AC) to form a substantially axially oriented groove (250) in the protective cover, wherein the groove does not reach one or more optical fibers (110) carried by the cable. The method can further include opening the protective cover at the groove to form a split protective cover portion (114S), and removing the split protective cover portion from the fiber optic cable. Methods of stripping a cable by forming two grooves in the protective cover using two focused laser beams are also disclosed.
摘要:
Methods for preparation and disposing of an optical fiber(s) into a blind hole(s) and related assemblies and methods of making same are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method for processing an optical fiber(s) is provided. The method includes processing an end portion(s) of the optical fiber(s) with a laser. The end portion(s) of the optical fiber(s) is disposed in a blind hole(s). The blind hole(s) may be disposed in a holding structure. The optical fiber(s) is attached to the holding structure. A fixture is also disclosed and may be used for retaining the optical fiber(s) in a channel(s) disposed in the fixture during preparation and/or disposing of the optical fiber(s) in the blind hole(s). An assembly prepared in accordance with the methods provided herein is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the assembly could include a holding structure assembly for an array of the optical fibers.
摘要:
Head-on laser shaping of optical surfaces on optical fibers, related assemblies and methods are disclosed. By “head-on laser shaping,” a laser beam is directed in a laser beam path collinear or substantially collinear to the longitudinal fiber axis of an end portion of an optical fiber. The end face of the end portion of optical fiber is exposed to the laser beam to laser shape a polished optical surface in the end face of the optical fiber. In this manner, the entire surface area of the end face of the optical fiber can be exposed to the laser beam during laser shaping, making it unnecessary unless desired, to rotate the optical fiber or laser beam during laser processing. The cross section energy distribution of the laser beam can also be controlled to laser shape an optical surface in the end face of the optical fiber of the desired geometry.